Storm Dana is forming in the Bay of Bengal, forcing Indian authorities to shut down schools, evacuate hundreds of thousands of people, and cancel train services.
Up to one million people are expected to have to leave their homes, officials have declared.
Rescue teams are on standby while the tropical storm approaches, as emergency services prepare for potential flooding and damage in vulnerable areas while seeking to to minimize casualties and disruption while the storm intensifies.
Tropical Storm Dana is expected to strengthen shortly, bringing winds between 62-68 mph (100-110 kph) with gusts up to 74 mph (120 kph) while it approaches India’s eastern coastline.
A satellite image showing Storm Dana in the Indian Ocean, on Thursday Oct. 24, 2024. Storm Dana is forming in the Bay of Bengal, forcing Indian authorities to shut down schools, evacuate hundreds of thousands of people, and cancel train services.
Windy.com
On Thursday Indian television station Kalinga TV posted on X, formerly known as Twitter “Over 5,000 relief centers have been set up in the state, with almost 31,000 people evacuated due to the Cyclone.”
The post continued: “Tourists are advised to vacate Puri by October 25.”
Storm Dana: Where Is It Now?
The Indian Meteorological Department says the tropical storm is currently in the Indian Ocean, 160 miles (260 km) southeast of the state of Odisha’s largest port of Paradip. The department is forecasting that the storm will make landfall late Thursday into early Friday, prompting widespread precautions in the region.
The storm is 260 miles (422 km) south of Kolkata traveling at northwards at a speed of 8 mph (15 kph). Downpours also began lashing areas of neighboring West Bengal state, where some districts are also likely to be hit by the center of the storm, prompting officials there to be on high alert.
Climate scientists warn that severe storms are becoming more frequent in South Asia due to global warming. The increase in planet-heating greenhouse gases is making these storms more extreme and unpredictable.
This trend is leading to greater risks for the region, with intensified storms bringing stronger winds, heavier rainfall, and more widespread damage.
Storm Dana Satellite View
The storm is forecast to affect most of Odisha, where strong winds and rain began Thursday. In addition to shutting down schools and canceling over 200 trains, authorities have suspended flights and issued warnings for fishermen to stay ashore. Neighboring West Bengal is also on high alert while downpours hit several districts.
Storm Dana Rainfall, Thunder Tracker
Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi told the Press Trust of India that around 300,000 people had been evacuated, with a target to move over 1 million. “The government is fully prepared to tackle the situation. You are in safe hands,” Majhi said.
Storm Dana Wind Gust Tracker
Cyclones are becoming more frequent along India’s coast. Last year’s Cyclone season was the deadliest in years, claiming 523 lives and causing $2.5 billion in damages.
South Asia is frequently affected by extreme storms, hurricanes and cyclones. In 2020 India and Bangladesh were both hit by Cyclone Amphan which killed at least 82 people and severely disrupted both countries. In 2019 one million people were evacuated and at least 64 people were killed in northeast India by Cyclone Fani, according to official estimates.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
